Started Cert. Class today.. First Day.

[c r0ck 1]

Well the class was cool. We did 2 and a half hours class, then 2 and a half hours in the pool.

Im kinda dissapointed in myself and feel like i let myself down.

First we had to do 5 laps around a 60ft pool. Then we had to float for 10 mins. no problem.


Then we had to swim underwater without coming up for a breath across the 60 ft pool. Everyone did it BUT ME! even little kids did it. I really feel like a jackass. I feel like i let myself and my team down. Im really stressed. I tried it 2 times and failed. The first time i made it about 40 ft then came up. The second time i made it a little past the half way mark then just could not hold my breath no more. Im really dissapointed in my self.


Then we had the snorkeling part and i passed i all.

Then we had to do our first scuba swim two laps back and forth in the pool 2 times and i breezed through it.


But i was told if i cant do the underwater swim for 60 ft i can not ger certified. They told me that i can come practice any time i want as long as there is an instructer watching and if i do it they will tell her. I hope i can do this.. I just cant hold my breath that long. i 330 lbs and i just feel like a fat slob who cant do it. DAMIT.

I guess ill be trying every day until i get it.. Otherwise my first time scuba diving was fun the gear was easy to use.. but i did notice that the aqualung legeng was a little hard to breath through but i guess its trial and error!...

-c rock

 

[spectrum]

Breath hold diving takes a little practice and is something that most need to work up to. Actually I'm surprised that the rest covered 60 feet right out of the chute with no difficulty.

First of all were you able to pike down and swim without fighting to stay down? If you happen to be a little buoyant then wearing a few pounds of weight may let you focus on moving forward.

Next time you want to relax. If you have been swimming or exerting yourself otherwise allow a few minutes to settle down.

Now take 3 nice deep long breaths and then pull in a moderate breath before slipping under and starting your swim. Go as far as you feel comfortable then glide to the surface. If you can, delay clearing your snorkel for an instant. Now settle down and try it again. As you continue your brain will begin to get the message that you can in fact tolerate a little more carbon dioxide in your system and at the same time your confidence will grow.

As you swim work to make full graceful sweeps with your fins and be one with the water. Give your body a chance to adapt to this and I bet you have it licked in a jiffy.

The point there is two-fold. Being able to do a moderate breath hold is important for any significant skin-diving. Secondly in the context of a scuba course it is important that you be at ease in the water. If you are at 60 feet and your air cuts out while your buddy is 30 feet away won't you be glad to have knowledge that you can manage covering some distance to reach your buddy on what is in your lungs? Of course you buddy should always be a few kicks away but as you will see most of our course is really about being prepared for those times when things are not happening as planned.

Relax, breathe deep and have fun.

Pete

 

[bmcsteve]

I second the great advice that Pete just gave you with one addition.... keep trying! Dont let it get you down. You will be surprised at what you can make your body do for you if you put your mind to it. I am definitely not the worlds greatest swimmer, and had trouble with that part of my OW class as well, but I just kept at it until I succeeded.

Steve

 

[c r0ck 1]

well there was no snorkels or fins in this swim test.. just your body.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Like Pete said. Good advice.
Take your time and relax, you can do it!

 

[bamamedic]

I had to swim 50 feet on one breath for my NAUI certification. Sure enough, I failed the first few attempts. Turns out it's harder than it looks! Eventually, I passed (on the last pool session) and I'm sure you will, too. I wound up doing a lot of practicing at a local pool between pool sessions. I'm told that it helps to take two or three deep breaths (in as deep as you can, and breath out as much as you can), then take a breath and hold it. Trying to get under the water, instead of swimming along the top helped, too. Be careful not to hyperventilate more than two or three breaths, though, 'cause you can get hypoxic and not realize it, then pass out, and that's not a good thing!

Anyways, good luck!

 

[cgvmer]

One other thing to remember, the desire to breath is partially driven by a build-up of CO2 in your lungs, when you are at the 40 yd mark and need to breath....breath out a little and your "need" to breath may be quelled long enough to last the other 20yds.

Practice this and possibly slowly releasing air the whole way you go...

BY the way I'm similar weight at 6'5"....just practice the swimming

 

[liuk3]

Don't beat yourself up so hard. It is not easy. It took my wife and I a couple of weeks until we could do it.

The exercise really requires you to practice two skills:
1) breath holding
2) underwater swim technique

For me, it really was a matter of underwater technique since I wasn't getting enough locomotion. It helps to have someone watch and give you tips.

I would ask your instructor to work with you to practice as it seems like they are certainly willing to help you. Some agencies don't require this skill to certify open water, so just take satisfaction in developing a skill that most divers don't get a chance to practice. Good luck, and just keep at it.

 

[TSandM]

NC State University: PE 226

Take a look at the underwater swim video.

The breath-hold swim was my terror for getting through Fundies. I practiced and practiced, and by the time class came, it was still 50-50 whether I could get to the end or not. I did pass, out of sheer determination, but it was dicey.

Since then, I was introduced to these videos, and I went to the pool and worked on some of the ideas. One tip -- Don't keep your head up and try to see where you are going. It increases your drag significantly. Second, don't try to swim the whole way -- See how much time you can glide. Effort takes oxygen and creates CO2, which makes you want to breathe. The less you can DO to get across the pool, the more comfortable you will be doing it.

I can do 60 routinely now. 75 is still a hit or miss proposition.

 

[c r0ck 1]

Thanks for all the positivity.. Ima just keep trying.. thanks!